The Heart of the Antarctic: Illustrated

by Ernest Shackleton

The Heart of the Antarctic, Illustrated by Ernest Shackleton. The scientific results of the expedition cannot be stated in detail in this book. The expert members in each branch have contributed to the appendices articles which summarise what has been done in the domains of geology, biology, magnetism, meteorology, physics, &c. I will simply indicate here some of the more important features of the geographical work. The journey made by the Northern Party resulted in the attainment of the South Magnetic Pole, the position of which was fixed, by observations made on the spot and in the neighborhood, at latitude 72 25' South, longitude 155 16' East. The journey was made along coastline of Victoria Land, new peaks, glaciers and ice-tongues were discovered, and small islands. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922) was an Anglo-Irish polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, and one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure, Memoir, Survival, Historical

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922) was an Anglo-Irish merchant naval officer who made his reputation as an explorer during what is known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, a period of discovery characterised by journeys of geographical and scientific exploration in a largely unknown continent, without any of the benefits of modern travel methods or radio communication.

Reviews

[Jaime Dear · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/4 domesticity, 1/4 falling into holes, 1/4 descriptions of rocks or snow, and 1/4 animal death

Ever since I read Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World I've been interested in Shackleton (to say the least) and this was such a treat since it was actually written by him. It was also such a treat because I LOVE supply lists. Outside of what he actually SAYS, it was an interesting look into how colonialism touches places even not touched by people.

The description of the feast in the "Notes of the Southern Journey" chapter was hilarious to me. I definitely have a new view of Shackleton. He likes to quote things and show off his knowledge, and him noting that he was reading Much Ado About Nothing was also funny. I guess what I got out of this was this book was surprisingly funny, and yet also made me respect the endeavor slightly less? Reading about them "claiming" the southern point for the Queen & about Shackleton saying that his hunger was more "vigorous and keen" than poor people really showed things in a new light for me. I enjoyed reading this.

Also the part where the horses ate so much sand they died??????

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like biographies and autobiographies you will like this book by Ernest Shackleton. I have read several books about Shackleton but none by him. This book gave me an insight into his personality and leadership style, which involved good organization, extreme attention to detail and planning, and good old common sense. He wasn't afraid of much, and he was also very lucky during this voyage. His personal energy and stamina were astounding and inspired his men. He treasured the various good traits of his men, and made excellent use of their individual skills. He could be very eloquent and poetic at times, and had a deep appreciation of the Antarctic landscape and its natural history. He was well versed in knowledge of scientific matters which was something I did not know before I read this book. As an athlete, scientist, explorer, writer, and leader, he was unquestionably one of the most gifted men of his time. As soon as I finished this book I packed it off to my friend up in northwest Alaska, for her to read before her trip to the Antarctic. She is a botanist, and I think she will love the scientific aspects of this book as well as the sheer adventure. Highly recommend!!

[Anastasiia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What induced me to start reading E. Shackleton’s dramatic diary on his first Antarctic journey as a leader of an expedition was William’s Grill “Shackleton’s Journey” illustrated and narrated by himself. Despite being a children-purposed colorful table book, it appeared a page-turner to me, 25-year-old adult. And following the story of a brave, trust-worthy and splendid personality, I couldn’t but googled E. Shackleton’s achievements and diaries to fulfill the gap of my ignorance in the field of explorations and genuine thirst for unknown.
“The Heart of the Antarctic” is a structural guide on the survival experience in the most challenging wilderness, mysterious and untouched in those times, on the one hand, and a magnificent discovery of the natural riches and laws depicted with numerous photos and eloquent descriptions, on the other. It is an enlightened journey to icebound shores and caverns, overcast and vast skies, and inlets interspersed with icebergs. Unpeopled stillness of unwieldy proportions evinces a great interest in the magnificence of the human spirit with unquenched thirst for triumphing over achieved long-wished-for goals.
A book appeals all adults, regardless of profession, beliefs and tastes alike. Don’t hesitate to follow E. Shackleton and his glorious expedition team in this diary.

[Okenwillow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dans la catégorie « aventures polaires qui font froid dans le dos et les chaussettes », j’avais lu le merveilleux et sublime Terreur de Dan Simmons. Cette lecture m’avait donné envie d’en lire plus sur le sujet, mais un livre en entraînant un autre… Or, lors de ma découverte de Jeffrey Archer et de l’existence brève et intense de George Mallory, le sujet est revenu sur le tapis, car de grands noms de l’exploration polaire étaient cités dans la biographie romancée. Encore sous le choc de la fin tragique de Mallory, je me suis mise en quête de récits polaires. Et voici donc l’un des plus percutants. Je l’annonce dès maintenant, d’autres suivront, car ma PAL s’est enrichie récemment, pour prolonger et renouveler un plaisir glacial, et néanmoins transcendant.

Ernest Shackleton est un individu comme on en rencontre peu. Ambitieux, aventureux, téméraire, tenace, mais habitué aux échecs en tous genres, il n’en demeure pas moins habité par un optimisme inébranlable. Il nous relate ici sa deuxième expédition vers l’Antarctique, dernière région de la Terre encore inexplorée. Son premier échec en 1902 lors de l’expédition de Scott le pousse à organiser sa propre expédition, mais cette fois mieux préparé.
L’Antarctique, c’est deux fois la superficie des États-Unis, et dans les zones montagneuses et venteuses, des températures plus glaciales encore qu’au pôle Nord. Des vents violents, des blizzards redoutables, des terrains accidentés, des crevasses, des pentes, des banquises en débâcle, des montagnes à franchir. Bref, personne n’a encore atteint le pôle Sud, et Shackleton se lance dans l’aventure après des mois de préparation, et une annonce pour le moins directe qui ne cherche pas à tromper le client.

Le Nimrod laisse Shackleton et ses hommes sur l’île de Ross où tout le monde s’attelle à monter le petit baraquement en bois préfabriqué pour passer l’hiver. Une petite société s’organise, et chacun prend son rôle au sérieux dans des conditions climatiques hostiles et extrêmes. La bonne humeur règne, Shackleton s’emploie à maintenir l’optimisme en toute situation, à encourager ses hommes, à soigner les poneys et les chiens qui les accompagnent. Après l’hivernage, les expéditions à proprement parler peuvent s’organiser. Des dépôts sont mis en place sur l’itinéraire vers le pôle Sud. L’escouade de Shackleton continuera à faire de même une fois sur la route, afin d’avoir des vivres à disposition sur le chemin du retour. Une autre expédition tentera d’atteindre également le pôle magnétique. Au retour de tout le monde, le Nimrod devra soit récupérer tous les hommes, soit partir à la recherche des retardataires. Tout ceci nécessite une préparation monstrueuse, une organisation inimaginable, un calcul des rations au gramme près. Et comme le dit souvent Shackleton, un plan minutieusement préparé peut être compromis au moindre imprévu. Et des imprévus, l’explorateur et ses hommes vont en rencontrer de nombreux. Malgré tout, de plans avortés en plans de secours, Shackleton réussit à transmettre son optimisme à tous ses hommes, et voit dans sa quête un devoir à accomplir. Il prend sans cesse des risques, mais toujours en rapport avec le but à atteindre, et toujours en ayant en tête la sécurité de ses hommes.

Le récit ne brille pas par le style, Shackleton se concentre sur les faits, qu’il nous relate à partir de ses propres journaux de bord, rédigés quotidiennement, dans n’importe quelles circonstances. Il avertit même le lecteur de la décadence du style avant d’entamer la relation de l’expédition vers le pôle Sud, après l’hivernage à la Hutte sur l’île de Ross. L’épopée de près de 1400 km est retranscrite presque au jour le jour. Plus le temps passe, plus les difficultés s’accumulent, et plus le style devient rudimentaire, le propos répétitif. La survie devient le seul but de l’équipe. On partage la détresse du groupe, ses espoirs, ses déceptions, l’état précaire dans lequel il évolue. On a froid et faim avec eux. Leurs étapes sont laborieuses, épuisantes, on se demande à chaque instant comme le froid et la faim n’ont pas eu raison d’eux. L’inconnu est aussi un facteur anxiogène puissant, personne ne connaît vraiment la route, l’itinéraire est balisé de surprises plus ou moins mauvaises, de détours imprévus, d’inspections et de relevés scientifiques qu’il faut absolument faire. Physiquement et moralement, l’escouade dépasse largement les limites de l’endurance humaine. Dans des conditions climatiques pareilles, sous-alimenté et isolé de tout, n’importe qui se laisserait mourir sur place, mais pas ces hommes. Encore une fois, pour Shackleton, si un imprévu survient, si une difficulté apparaît, il suffit de changer le plan, et de continuer, inlassablement. Jusqu’à ce que la survie devienne « problématique », l’expédition poursuit sa route, et c’est à environ 140 km du pôle Sud, et à court de vivre, que l’escouade devra finalement rebrousser chemin afin d’atteindre le dépôt de provisions le plus proche, et de rejoindre leur lieu d’hivernage.

Vous l’aurez compris, il s’agit ici d’un récit hors norme, comme seule l’exploration polaire peut en proposer. Dernier continent à avoir été découvert et exploré, il garde encore bien des secrets, mais l’Homme a finalement réussi à l’apprivoiser et à y survivre grâce aux avancées technologiques. Mais en ce début du XXe siècle, les moyens de communication étaient inexistants dans ces contrées, et un sauvetage impossible. Malgré l’échec de l’expédition, Shackleton bat un record en ayant parcouru la plus longue distance en direction du pôle Sud, tandis que l’autre équipe atteint le pôle magnétique, et en ramenant à bon port tous ses hommes sains et saufs, ce qui en soit relève déjà d’un véritable exploit.

Mon prochain billet portera sur l’expédition Endurance (1912-1917), encore plus dingue et incroyable. Je reste en état de stupeur depuis ma lecture ce récit, et L’odyssée de l’Endurance entretient cette fascination. Joie.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of Shackleton's Nimrod expedition of 1907-1909. I didn't know much about this expedition before, but learnt much through reading this account. This is also my first experience of reading Shackleton's own writing, and I found his writing to be captivating, visceral and amusing. The description of the sledging party's ideal meal when going through the privations of sledging and the hunger attached was very poignant. One realises, with great impact what these chaps went through in the pursuit of exploration.

I also was introduced to Douglas Mawson through this book and will be seeking out more information about Mawson and his expeditions in the future.

To sum up, this was a terrific book which gave a taste of life during these polar expeditions from Shackleton and his colleagues who were there in the thick of it.

[Alyosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently been digging into as many writings on the 19th/early 20th century Antarctic expeditions doing some indirect research on that part of the earth. It’s truly quite amazing that EVERY single one of them presents the same logical conclusion, that you cannot pass through the southern part of the world. The “Great Ice Barrier” as Shackleton refers to it, is indeed a mystery that was never solved by explorers such as himself and it remains only a mystery today because it’s being hidden from us (hence the Antarctic treaty). On another note, this book is Shackleton’s lesser known work and its incredible. Highly recommend it.

[Juushika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nimrod expedition was the first Shackleton led, 1907-9, placing it directly between Scott's Discovery (on which Shackleton was a member) and infamous Terra Nova, and later overshadowed by Shackleton's also-infamous Endurance. Hate to say it, because I'm certain I'd find Shackleton, the man, super obnoxious, but he knows what the people want. This is some of the best curated, most satisfying expedition writing I've read, intentionally accessible to the layreader, incredibly corporeal and crunchy in detail, right down to descriptions of sleeping arrangements and food poisoning, to photos of people in their bunks or in drag, while still willing to skim elements that might be repetitive recounted in full. Kudos, I think, to his editor, as Shackleton's letters imply much of that curation and directness comes from an outside influence; and it's utterly absent in Dr. David's extensive sections, which make for a slow end to what's already a mammoth text. The various appendixes are skippable, although whenever these guys write about penguins it's always a delight. I read this immediately after Riffenburgh's Shackleton's Forgotten Expedition and appreciate the larger context, specifically re: social frictions that Shackleton understandably elides despite their significant impact on the expedition.

This expedition exists in intimate conversation with Scott's, and the tension between them is both petty and amiable. But what fascinates me is that Shackleton, too, almost died in his effort at the Pole; in fact, almost anyone who did significant man-hauling in Antarctica almost died, cutting corners and overextending themselves in this supremely inhospitable climate. The more I read, the more the death of Scott et al. feels not like bad luck but simply an inevitability: some sledging party was bound to freeze out there, and it was nearly this one.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say more of my enjoyment of the book came from all the photographs and paintings included. I would be hard-pressed to label this book thrilling, though I am not sure if that is because I don't find much of the scientific work they carried out all that intriguing, or because the expedition was for the most part not tragic, awful, perilous, or filled with nasty things like starvation, scurvy, and cannibalism. Ha! I will give props to Shackleton, the man could write with equal parts exacting detail and adventure-humour. Still, the book seemed more a general log of the work done, and not really a edge-of-your-reading-chair trek for the ages. Success reads less favorably than tragedy, surely. Even so, it is obvious Shackleton and his team of men accomplished amazing things on this trek: logging South Magnetic Pole, scaling Mount Erebus, and reaching Farthest South, but Shackleton's acumen for knowing his limits, and his men's was more of a reason to respect him than all he managed to achieve. "A live donkey is worth more than a dead lion", he said to his wife after their return to warmer climes. A book that will appeal more to those seeking exhaustive details about preparation for the polar trek and the rigors of scientific toil in adverse conditions than it will to those looking for thrills or gruesome happenings. The photos are stunning!!

[Norma J. Engelberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernest Shackleton is one of my favorite Antarctic explorers. He never quite made it to the South Pole but it wasn't for lack of trying. This book chronicles his 1907-1909 expedition, written by his own hand. We get to see how someone planned a trip of this magnitude at the turn of the 20th century, before there were icebreakers, snowmobiles, satellites, GPS and all the other technologies we now take for granted.
Shackleton describes the cold, the hunger, the blizzards and other dangers but also the thrills, the beauty, the camaraderie and the scientific achievements. There were close calls, but he always knew when to stop, putting his people's ultimate safety before the mission, something Scott forgot on his own ill-fated attempt to reach the pole.
This is a book that shouldn't be forgotten.

[Juan Cacho · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Nadie se acuerda del segundo lugar. Todos se acuerdan del ganador.” - Alexander Ovechkin.

Antes de encontrar este libro mientras buscaba temas interesantes por leer, no sabía nada de Ernest Shackleton, quien en 3 ocasiones intentó conquistar el Polo Sur. La historia de esta, su segunda travesía, es un relato emocionante y estremecedor de las cuitas que experimentaron a lo largo del recorrido, incluidas las decisiones para abortar el viaje faltando poco para lograrlo, hacen que sea un libro enormemente ameno. Ahora quiero saber más sobre la historia de los viajes al Polo Sur.

Fun fact: el ganador de la conquista del Polo Sur, por si no lo sabían, fue el noruego Roald Amundsen en 1911, su carrera para llegar primero al Polo y el trágico destino de la expedición de Robert Scott que intentó llegar antes bien merecer ser de los próximos libros por leer.

[Yafen Shen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe it or not I enjoyed this even more than "South!". What a slog those fellows had; especially those three that had to put up with the arrogant, two-faced sneak Dr. Marshall-even in that class riven society the man stands out as an utter sh*t.
Note: My opinions about Marshall are based diaries and other sources all published long after this book, "Warts and all" expedition accounts were definitely not a "thing" in 1909. Which is not to say this account is by any means insipid or inaccurate, it is, rather, both thrilling and moving.

[Benjamin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

In mostly Shackleton's words, he tells the story of Nimrods journey to The Heart of the Antarctic during the 1907 expedition. This journey ended up being the most scientifically valuable feat of polar exploration to date. For his duties as commander and making the farthest attempted reach to the geographic South Pole, Ernest Shackleton was Knighted upon his heroic return to England. An absolute pleasure and thrill to read. As are the accounts by Professor David and his team while finding the magnetic South Pole. An astounding and triumphant volume of work.

[Juan Idiazabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este diario de viaje escrito por el explorador Ernest Shackleton es una gran ventana a lo que fueron las primeras exploraciones de la Antártida. Este diario de la Expedición Antártica Británica es por momentos como leer una novela de aventuras. Muy recomendable para quienes quieren conocer un poco más del continente blanco. Además, Süd Pol nos presenta una edición cuidada de calidad, con el detalle de algunas de las fotos y los mapas de la expedición. La traducción es muy buena y llevadera.

[JLA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernest Shackleton's life as an explore is 100% fascinating. His skills as a writer are not horrible despite a few awkward sentences peppered in here and there. Where his story telling abilities shine is at the moment the book shifts from his technical prose to the diary entries. Those sections read like a fast paced adventure novel. A great story of adventure and exploration. The man was larger and life.

[Elaine Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time I’ve read this, and I was equally engrossed this time around in this enthralling account of this Antarctic expedition. Fascinating to read of how they prepared for such a trip, equipped the winter quarters etc and then the separate expeditions. Surely this should be on every school syllabus… heroism, leadership, humility, teamwork and the strength of human spirit over adversity in the most extreme situations. Simply inspirational!

[Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though a much less well known journey than that if 1914-16, there is still much of interest here. The book helped me understand the context of later polar expeditions, in particular the difficulties posed by the high elevation of the polar plateau. Well written and edited, and does not feel nearly as dated as it might.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details Shackleton's second journey to Antarctica in 1907. It is a well-written and interesting account of how they marches, explored, and survived in some of the harshest weather on earth. I love the writing style and the words they used to describe - truly a joy to read.

[Greg Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

chronicling a remarkable expedition from planning to fruition; minute detail from Shackleton's diaries translated into readable text; great insight into the mind of a heroic explorer from an era when new frontiers were becoming more and more difficult

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shackleton gives tremendous detail in his work while still providing personality and humor to his diaries down in the Antarctic. A great book if you are looking to learn more about the early expeditions to the continent.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. A little slow in some parts, the science observations toward the end, but informative.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ernest Shackleton's recounting of this expedition was an interesting read.

[Benoît Gourlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bien plus dur a lire que l'odyssée de l'endurance

[untitled lullaby]

I bought this thinking someone had written about the voyage and not the diary. It is my own fault. It did read a bit dull to me

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up more or less at random, because I needed a book to read on the plane and my mom had it on her shelf. I wasn't expecting to get through it, but to my surprise I really enjoyed it. Shackleton's narrative is a bit repetitive--"got up at X time, temperature Y, sledged Z hours over slope Q; Wild has dysentery again"--but there are a lot of genuinely moving passages, mostly when Shackleton describes incredible Antarctic landscapes that no one had ever seen before. The book actually made me want to visit Antarctica--something I've never been remotely tempted to do--so I'd count it a success.

As I read, though, I couldn't help thinking, again and again, "Starving, sleep-deprived people make really bad decisions." Everyone in the expedition was incredibly courageous, and if Shackleton's team had actually made it to the Pole he would have been vindicated--but I can't help thinking that his "do or die" attitude might have been better replaced by "do or come back later with reinforcements."

Anyway, it was very good reading. I actually liked Professor David's narrative of the Magnetic Pole expedition best--it's very light, and quite often funny, and David is always quick to admit his mistakes and praise the actions and judgements of his comrades. It was also much more abridged than the Shackleton account, which might have made it easier reading. (Wow, apparently the abridgements were more significant than I thought: a glance at Wikipedia lends a different color to the account.)

In terms of production, I would have loved better visuals. The maps are awful--bare sketches, hard to make out, missing almost all the landmarks mentioned in the book. It also would have been nice if they could have included more of the photographs the narrative described. Mabye in a different edition!

Now I feel like rereading The Golden Compass and Troubling a Star...

[Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Nimrod Expeditioon of 1907-1909, and Sir Ernest Shackleton's attempt to reach the South Pole; which ultimately came within 97 miles of its goal, achieving a new "furthest south" latitude at 88°23'S. An epic record of gruelling effort, back-breaking strain, and bitter cold (only surpassed by that of Shackleton's 1914 Expedition); as the sledging team raced against the calendar, their dwindling food supply, and the possibility of missing a vital food depot on the return journey, with the dual menaces of starving or freezing to death everpresent.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was endlessly fascinating and I became very absorbed in it. It took me a little over an entire month to read, just a few pages at night, which is a very long time for me. But I loved every minute of it. I learned so much, I was amazed and inspired by the story, and I talked about it at length to those who would listen. I am definitely going to read his other books. It only falters slightly near the end when you switch to reading the account of one of the men on another expedition team; the writing and the adventure are not as engaging as Shackleton's.

[Tamhack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books explains more about how Shackleton becomes Shackleton. Where his philosophies came to from and what experiences shaped him for his future expeditions and decisions as a leader.
The book describes the beauty of the Antarctic--almost make me to become an Antarctic explorer except I don't know if I have what it takes to survive the enviroment at such odds (the constant lack of food, the physical labor to cross the land, the unexpected dangers (snowblindness, starvation, frostbite, crevices,etc.).

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting that I actually found myself sharing bits and pieces of it with those around me while reading. I am so amazed at what these men were able to endure and accomplish in such extreme circumstances. I will definitely be reading his other book, "South", about another of his expeditions.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a worthwhile investment of time. The reader is going to come away with a real appreciation of Antarctica - it's powerful nature and subtle beauty. In addition Shackleton provides a thorough perspective of just how challenging this environment can be for human exploration. The diary entries contain a degree of redundancy but there is really no way the author could avoid that.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a slog and pretty tedious as each day bled into the next on his journey south. It's hard to imagine anyone doing something this difficult without modern equipment or sensible ideas about nutrition but you have to give them credit, these were some very tough and resilient people.